first off, I don't like the 22-250. It's actually not good as a multi use cartridge, although many people disagree. Yes, it will kill prairie dogs, coyotes, hogs, and deer, but it's not optimal for deer or hogs, and it really requires a heavy barrel to wring out all of its accuracy. A sport weight 22-250, in my thoughts, is just a waste of FPS and powder. go 223, or heavy barrel specialty rifle.

South dakota? I'm thinking you mean prairie dogs, coyotes, jackrabbit, maybe bobcat, or other small critters. Maybe you intend to go for an antelope or deer someday.

Leave out the .260. Not right for prairie dogs, and even more than you need for other varmints, when a .243 will do in anything coyote or smaller very successfully. .243 with .75 grain match HP or polymer bullets in an accurate sport barrel will do 1" easily with the right loads, and that is prairie dog accuracy out to 200+ yards with a deer capable gun.

You can use the .243 on deer and antelope, although I advise against it.

So, I'd suggest a .243, as it fulfills all of your 50 pounds or smaller animal targets perfectly, and could do larger game as well, but I still suggest that you get a larger rifle to perform larger game hunting separately. If you go two rifles, well, a .260 would be adequate for smaller deer and pronghorn, and could be used for rodents as well, if you choose. a .223 would do for dogs and rabbits, and either one will knock coyotes over like a truck. you have plenty of usage overlap with those two, and better specialized usage as well.

I had several 6.5's over the years and they are great. I still have a .260 and it is really hard on deer. I don't bother to reload for it, so I have only used 140 grain bullets. The Remington's work great. I never bothered to reload because the magazine well is not long enough for 160 grain bullets. I use 160 grain bullets in my 6.5x55 and it knocks them sideways on a broadside shot. I would think a .260 loaded with 160 grain bullets would be more than enough for even the biggest animal in the deer family.

Mostly varmints? Probably the .22-250. With proper bullets, the .22-250 will work on deer (within my usual self-imposed limits). Nothing wrong with a .243, but for prairie dogs and such, the .22-250 seems preferable.

I certainly wouldn't bother with a .260 for little critters.

__________________
You're from BATFE? Come right in! I use all your fine products!

If that list of rifles is what he has inventoried in his gun safe, it appears that the OP doesn't have a need for much of anything gunwise, and particularly not a 243 (two of them) or a 22 centerfire (4 of them). He has a 270, so he really doesn't need a 260. But, being a reloader, he might have a good bit of fun and interest in working with a 260. I enjoy mine.

The .243 makes a great varming/deer cartridge. Good range, accurate, and easy to shoot.

The same could be said for the .260.

If deer are in the proposed species to hunt with this gun, I'd have to choose one of the above. Either one would do me just fine, but I already own a .243 so I'd probably choose the .260.

If it's for varmints only, then the 22-250 is the obvious choice for me. I once owned one, 'bout 25 years ago, and it was one very fine varmint/coyote rifle. Had a lot of good times with it, too. One day I'll have another, just because, but right now I get by very well with a .17 Remington.

I even still have the dies to load the '250, and I'll definitely have another one of these days.

I would get the 243. that's the cartridge I grew up with. I know the best ammunition for the job(for me anyways). I know it's limitations(which are pretty slim besides bullet weight) and I know exactly how comfortable I would be in taking an animal that is either smaller or larger than my targeted demographic.

all of this is based on personal experience mind you. I'm sure a 22-250 and a 260 are all very well suited to pretty much the same tasks but I'm just more familiar with the 243

__________________
ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar.
I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein
You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

If you already have a 223 and 220 Swift then you don't really need another varmint round. You have a 270 so you're covered for deer. If that was my collection I would add a 300 magnum of some description for elk/moose just in case I ever got the chance to shoot one. After than I would add something I could shoot cast bullets in like a 358 win or 45/70.

This is going to a a coyote rifle...only. So, I have settled on the 243 and here's why. Yes, I have two other 243's; however, my heavy barrel 243 is a beutiful Savage put together by me strictly for prairie dogs and I don't really want it to get messed up hunting coyotes. My other 243 is a m700 ADL that's about 20 years old. Wood stock, sporter barrel, also a pretty gun that I don't want to get messed, but hunt deer with from time to time. All my other 22's are pretty near and dear to my heart as well accept the 22-250 that I've decided to give to my Dad. The 220 Swift is a number one and again, to beutiful to get beat up. The 223 WSSM is kinda the freak of the safe. Hardly ever gets shot. It's a m70 coyote with a medium barrel and laminate stock. Great performer, just don't know how much barrel life it will have. My 223 is a cheap little savage with composite stock that does a good job but just doesnt have the range a 243 will. So, there it is, it's going to be another 243!

Sorry jimbob, milsurps aren't really my thing. Also, IMHO, a 270 will get the job done on anything I want to hunt in North America. While the 223 is good, I have found that, here on the prairie the 243 rides the wind a little better.

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.